Become a Forensic Psychologist

The first step to becoming a forensic psychologist is getting an undergraduate degree in psychology. You'll be even better off with a double major in psychology and criminology. Make sure you complete a program from an accredited institution; otherwise, it will not be relevant for employers and graduate programs. You will need to pursue a master's in clinical psychology or criminology after getting your bachelor's degree, preferably followed by a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

In addition to the prescribed coursework for your degree, you may also want to take additional courses in criminology and psychology and attend forensic psychology seminars at a college or university that is accredited by a reputable organization. Internship and/or mentorship opportunities are also very helpful, since you'll need to complete at least one year, if not two, of fieldwork supervised by a chartered forensic psychologist in order to become a certified psychologist. You will also need to pass a state certification examination after your schooling.

After getting the required degrees, doing the fieldwork and passing the required examinations, you will be eligible for certification in forensic psychology from the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Then you can begin looking for work in this exciting field. Salaries for forensic psychologists range from $41,000 to $82,000 depending on experience, specialization and location. If you think you have what it takes, this could be just the career for you.

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